φρέαρ
phrear
well
of uncertain derivation; a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water or other purposes), i.e. a cistern or well; figuratively, an abyss (as a prison):--well, pit.
John 4:11 · Word #11
Lexicon G5421
| Lemma | φρέαρ |
| Transliteration | phréar |
| Strong's | G5421 |
| In-context | well |
| Literal | well |
Morphology N NOM N SG
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Case | NOM — Nominative — The subject of the sentence |
| Gender | N — Neuter — Grammatical neuter |
| Number | SG — Singular — One |
Lexical Info
| Lemma | φρέαρ |
| Strong's | G5421 |
SIBI-P1 G5421-01
a dug-pit
| Root | φρέαρ (phrear) |
| Core Meanings | well, cistern, pit, shaft, dug hole, abyss |
| Semantic Range | a water well, cistern, underground shaft, deep pit, prison-like abyss, the subterranean deep |
| Conceptual Significance | In biblical literature, φρέαρ can denote an ordinary water source essential for life in arid lands, but it can also symbolize depth, concealment, or confinement. In apocalyptic contexts it refers to the abyss, portraying a place of imprisonment or cosmic depth beneath the earth. |
| Morphological Notes | Noun, neuter, singular; attested in nominative neuter singular (NNS) and accusative neuter singular (ANS). As a neuter noun, nominative and accusative forms are identical in form. |
| Rendering Rationale | The rendering "a dug-pit" preserves the core image of φρέαρ as a man-made hole excavated in the ground, typically for water but also used more broadly for a shaft or abyss. The form is neuter singular (nominative or accusative), which in English is naturally conveyed by the singular count noun "pit" without gender marking. |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)